by JOHN CAMPANY

PRIDE of place went to Essex and Suffolk Border League second division side St Osyth in the preliminary round of the Knockout Cup, overcoming first division hosts Cavendish.

However, the success was bittersweet.

Leading 4-1, the match was abandoned after 83 minutes, when Jack Harmon suffered a horrendous broken leg after colliding with one of his team-mates.

Harmon was taken to Bury hospital where he underwent surgery and a rod was inserted in his leg.

He was expected to be released on Monday and will embark on a lengthy period of convalescence.

St Osyth manager Russell Mead and all concerned were grateful to the experienced unknown fireman who attended Harmon, pending the arrival of the ambulance.

The league, through Spencer Hume, has set up a fundraising page where all contributions will be gratefully received.

The league will doubtless confirm St Osyth’s entry to the first-round proper where they will host Gas Recreation.

The remaining preliminary-round tie saw Barnston hold Little Oakley Reserves 0-0 at the War Memorial Ground after extra-time and then succeed 3-1 on penalties.

They will now travel to Tiptree Jobserve in the next round.

In the premier division, leaders Alresford Colne Rangers relinquished their position at the top, losing their unbeaten record to rapidly-improving Flitch United 2-0 at Ford Lane.

Shane Pyne scored both goals.

It’s been a remarkable change of fortune for the premier division new-boys, who extended their unbeaten sequence to four matches and now occupy seventh place.

Stanway Pegasus are the new leaders after beating visiting White Notley 2-0.

They are closely followed by Gas Recreation, who had a narrow win over Tiptree Heath at Bromley Road and are a point behind with a game in hand.

The champion’s scorers were Ryan Dale, Luke Taylor and Harry Hewes, who was subsequently shown a second yellow card by referee Andrew French.

Tiptree Engaine moved out of the lower reaches with a good 2-1 win at Hatfield Peverel, with goals from Jordon March and Harry Runicles.

Lawford Lads moved into mid-table with a solitary-goal victory over struggling Brantham Athletic Reserves.

Harry Parks ensured the points.

West Bergholt’s mini-revival came to a halt with a home defeat by visiting Great Bentley, who won by the odd goal from three.

It was Dale Brown and Louis Olymbios who secured the points for Jack Murray’s boys, which sees them just two points off the leaders in fourth position.

The remaining match was the clash between Earls Colne and Dedham Old Boys, with both sides struggling at the wrong end of the table.

The 1-1 draw did neither any favours and they are just above Brantham Athletic Reserves.

Colne’s scorer was Kieran Adams while Mathew Randall replied for the visitors.

In division one, Stanway Pegasus Reserves continue to lead the way following a 2-0 win at Mersea Island, with goals from Harry Diplock and substitute Darren Bethell.

Gosfield United consolidated their fine start following their double promotion with a 6-2 home win against Bures United.

Mark Whiskin’s side are the leading scorers with 21 goals thus far and on Saturday they were well served with a brace from Jake Gilder, Dean Gilder, Edward Killin, Michael Story and Liam Bowman.

Tiptree Jobserve, the only unbeaten side, fought out a goalless draw with Sudbury Sports.

They are fifth, trailing the leaders by five points, but with two games in hand.

Results: Knockout Cup - preliminary round: Cavendish 1 St Osyth 4 (abandoned in the 83rd minute), Little Oakley Res 0 Barnston 0 (Barnston won 3-1 on pens).

Premier division: Alresford Colne Rangers 0 Flitch United 2, Earls Colne 1 Dedham Old Boys 1, Gas Recreation 3 Tiptree Heath 2, Hatfield Peverel 1 Tiptree Engaine 2, Lawford Lads 1 Brantham Athletic Res 0, Stanway Pegasus 2 White Notley 0, West Bergholt 1 Great Bentley 2.

First division: Bell Vue Social 3 West Bergholt Res 3, Colne Athletic 3 Boxted Lodgers 0, Gosfield United 6 Bures United 2, Little Oakley A 0 FC Clacton 4, Mersea Island 0 Stanway Pegasus 2, Tiptree Jobserve 0 Sudbury Sports 0, Wormingford Wanderers 1 Alresford Colne Rangers Res 6.

Second division: Brantham Athletic A 1 Hedinghams United 4, Dedham Old Boys Res 3 Wormingford Wanderers Res 0, Shrub End United 1 Great Bentley Res 0, Tavern 7 Gas Recreation Res 0, Tiptree Engaine Res 2 Rowhedge 1, Tollesbury 4 Hatfield Peverel Res 2, Elmden Rovers 2 Harwich Rangers 2.

Third division: Boxted Lodgers Res 1 Lawford Lads Res 0, Bradfield Rovers 1 Little Clacton 2, Flitch United Res 1 Oyster 2, Hedinghams United Res 3 Stanway Athletic 1, Kelvedon Social 2 Cavendish Res 0, Tiptree Heath Res 0 Harwich & Parkeston Res 7.